How to treat diverticulitis

Video: What is diverticulitis? Causes, symptoms, treatment & more

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating an attack of diverticulitis
Part 2 of 3: Possible Complications
Part 3 of 3: Preventing diverticulitis
Tips
Warnings

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory process that occurs against a background of infection in small sacs (diverticula) that form in the digestive tract of people over 40. The condition in which these very sacs are formed (diverticulosis) can lead to very serious complications if treatment is not completed on time. Treatment for diverticulitis depends on how serious the condition is and how many times you have had it. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, and poor bowel movements.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Treating an attack of diverticulitis

1 Eat liquid foods that are low in fiber. One of the possible causes of diverticulitis is the consumption of small, hard-to-digest foods that a person does not chew enough, such as corn, berries and various seeds. If diverticula have formed in the intestines, such food can become stuck in it and become a food source for the bacterial colony, causing inflammation. If you have an attack of diverticulitis, it is best to stop eating foods that could worsen your condition. This means you need to avoid fiber (which will only push undigested debris further into the infected area) and the foods mentioned above that are difficult to digest.
- After the diverticulitis attack has subsided, you should much increase your fiber intake.
- During this time, try not to consume too much dairy products.
2 Take antibiotics. See your doctor for an antibiotic prescription. a prescription for taking antibiotics. Diverticulitis occurs when small sacs in the intestine (diverticula) become inflamed. This condition can only be treated with antibiotics, otherwise the infection will continue to spread. Follow the instructions for taking antibiotics on the package, which tell you how often and for how long to take. However, there is a doctor who will give you other instructions, follow them. Even if you can buy antibiotics without a prescription, keep in mind that only a doctor can choose the right medication.
3 Take pain relievers. Most people with diverticulitis experience abdominal pain and cramps. They won't go away until the infection goes away, but they can be treated with pain relievers. Look for low-dose ibuprofen, paracetamol, or naproxen so that you can control pain attacks as needed without exceeding the daily dosage.
4 Try herbal treatments. Certain herbs are said to speed up the healing process for diverticulitis by helping to clear the infection from the body and relieve pain and discomfort. Look for supplements or teas that contain chamomile or slippery elm: these two plants are commonly used to treat digestive problems. If you don't have them, you can just drink hot tea - it will help soothe abdominal cramps.
5 Try acupuncture. It may sound strange to someone unfamiliar with acupuncture, but acupuncture relieves tension in certain points, which leads to a feeling of pain and pressure in the abdomen. Find a reputable professional and ask what they can do for your diverticulitis. This will not cure the infection, but it may provide some relief.
6 Use hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is very simple: use water to combat discomfort. There are several types of hydrotherapy you can try at home. For example, take an Epsom salt bath or place a warm compress on your stomach to relax muscles and relieve pain.
7 Place a heating pad on your stomach. An electric heating pad can ease the pain. Try lying on your stomach with a heating pad until the pain subsides.
- Be careful not to fall asleep with a heating pad!
8 Try different relaxing techniques. They may help you cope with pain. Here are a couple of techniques you can try:
- Meditation. Sit in a comfortable, quiet place and meditate for 15 minutes.
- Deep breathing. Lie in a comfortable, quiet place and breathe slowly, deeply, concentrating on each inhalation and exhalation.

Part 2 of 3: Possible Complications

1 Watch for an abscess to start. If you have a bout of diverticulitis and are not taking antibiotics, the infection can spread and form a pustule or abscess. Typically, this will result in more severe pain, higher fever, and increased white blood cell counts. If an abscess begins as a result of diverticulitis, serious treatment is required: a catheter will be inserted through the abdomen into the abscess to remove the pus over a period of several days.
2 Watch out for peritonitis. If you still have not cured the abscess, the next stage of the infection will be peritonitis. In the case of peritonitis, the abscess extends beyond the pustule and covers the entire lower part of the colon. Common symptoms of peritonitis include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and low blood pressure. The only treatment is a course of strong antibiotics and surgical removal of the infected part of the colon.
3 Learn about fistula formation. If you have a complicated case of diverticulitis, the infection from the fistula can spread not only to other parts of the intestine, but also to surrounding tissues, such as the bladder or skin. This is very similar to peritonitis, but only a doctor can determine and treat this condition. Treatment will consist of at least antibiotics, but, as a rule, it will not do without surgery.
4 Learn about the possibility of a stricture (stenosis). This is one of the rarer complications of diverticulitis. If the infection is not promptly treated, scar tissue may form and the intestinal lumen may narrow. This narrowing is called stenosis and can interfere with the passage of feces. Surgery is usually required depending on the magnitude of the problem.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing diverticulitis

1 Eat a diet rich in fiber. If you regularly eat foods containing fiber, food debris will pass through the intestines without difficulty, which, in turn, will prevent them from accumulating in diverticula. Fruits and vegetables are very high in fiber, as are beans, whole grains, and brown rice. In addition to preventing diverticulitis, these foods have many other beneficial properties, and in any case, it is useful to include them in the diet.
- Do not start eating fiber until you have fully recovered from your diverticulitis attack.
2 Eat more probiotics. Since the infection that causes diverticulitis develops from harmful bacteria in the body, some doctors believe that eating good bacteria (probiotics) can cleanse your gut and prevent infection. Probiotics are live crops that are commonly found in certain types of yoghurt. They help cleanse the stomach and intestines of disease-causing bacteria and improve overall well-being when consumed regularly.
3 Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water and other fluids on a regular basis has tremendous positive effects on all aspects of your body's functioning. Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day - this will help cleanse the body of harmful bacteria and give it energy.
4 See your doctor regularly. Once you are diagnosed with diverticulosis, you should monitor your bowel health to avoid future attacks. This also allows you to protect yourself from possible complications, which were mentioned in the second part of the article. Try to see your doctor about two months after your first attack to see if they can order a colonoscopy or a barium enema x-ray.These types of diagnostics will help you see a potential problem and take action before it's too late.
5 Try to maintain a normal bowel movement. Going to the toilet regularly can help prevent diverticulitis. Try to eat at the same time every day and be sure to drink enough water. Also, try not to push too much when going to the bathroom or use enemas or laxatives without a doctor's prescription.

Tips

Doctors used to think that eliminating seeds and nuts from the diet could prevent a recurrence of diverticulitis. Subsequently, studies have shown that these foods do not increase the risk of disease.